Switched from Helix to Axe Fx III

[Dave Merrill]

Sort of. The big difference is that snapshot implementation in Helix is much easier to think about and faster to configure. And is totally gapless when switching all parameters. Fractal has audio pops when changing amp models across channels.

But yes, you can alter things this way to achieve a wide variety of tones and options. It’s just done “differently”.

What I want to be able to do is to get my main sound on screen 1. Then, select scene two and just change all the parameters directly in the UI if the editor. Scene 3, same thing. So on and so forth.

That's not how scenes work in Fractal-land though.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Whether the amp and cabinet simulations are better on the FM9 is somewhat subjective

Kinda. Whether you like the sound is subjective. Whether it’s accurate to the original used as a reference can be measured, and is, when Cliff makes the model, making it objective.

But that leads to the discussion of why two instances of the same amp brand and model and production run can sound different, and the difference between his hand-picked reference and someone else’s amp.

 

[Paulzx]

I actually just got back home, so haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but even mentioning I'm a beta tester is against the conditions of being a beta tester (as is putting it in a signature), telling what's in the update would really be crossing the line.

If I send you a direct message later, it'll probably be completely unrelated. ;-)

Sounds fair enough to me, send me that direct message then lol

 

[Paulzx]

This is why I passed on the Helix and took a chance on the AX8. Wasn't going to spend that much money for a device that reminded me of why I stopped using another product 3 generations older.

I agree that out of the box, Helix does tend to give some undesirable sound characteristics, mainly in the high gain. As I've got better at dialling tones in, I've discovered how to achieve excellent high gain tones, which probably explains how some youtubers appear to be able to get almost identical patches out of Helix against Fractal.

I do believe the fractal devices are better straight out of the box though, and I still think they have the edge on sound quality which is why so many people go from Helix to Fractal. Helix is so super easy to use though, which is in it's favour of course.

 

[Paulzx]

Fractal has audio pops when changing amp models across channels.

Is that still the case even now.. even on an FM9? How have they not managed to make that gapless and noiseless like the Helix?

 

[sick pickle]

Is that still the case even now.. even on an FM9? How have they not managed to make that gapless and noiseless like the Helix?

It is still a thing yes. Others here will explain it is not an issue at all, or not really heard in a band situation, or real amps have gaps. But yea… the gap is there.

 

[Brewce]

Is that still the case even now.. even on an FM9? How have they not managed to make that gapless and noiseless like the Helix?

AFAIK, you can do gapless since some time(?), but it's a little restrictive and you have to put the amps in series in the layout and switch between them. Beware, I am going by what I've read and one demo vid.
Using a panning pedal I think is also considered gapless, but you have to do the sweep of course.
All of this is about switching amps inside a preset. Switching presets may indeed have gaps...
Furthermore, they are different beasts and I think if we would really understand the problem, we would understand the problem...

 

[JoKeR III]

I agree that out of the box, Helix does tend to give some undesirable sound characteristics, mainly in the high gain. As I've got better at dialling tones in, I've discovered how to achieve excellent high gain tones, which probably explains how some youtubers appear to be able to get almost identical patches out of Helix against Fractal.

I do believe the fractal devices are better straight out of the box though, and I still think they have the edge on sound quality which is why so many people go from Helix to Fractal. Helix is so super easy to use though, which is in it's favour of course.

I'm glad it works for you and I'm not debating if it's possible to get a good sound out of the Helix. I simply wasn't going to spend the money on a product hoping I could get a good tone, especially when it reminded me of the XT and X3 line. I've had the opportunity to use a Helix couple of times and spend some time with the HX Stomp. Neither made me question or regret my decision to go with Fractal.

Use whichever device allows you to get the tones you want to hear. At the end of the day that's all that matters.

 

[JoKeR III]

Is that still the case even now.. even on an FM9? How have they not managed to make that gapless and noiseless like the Helix?

This sounds suspiciously like a sales pitch. Are you sure you're not affiliated with Line 6?

 

[Steven Persson]

The new IR module with mic placement in Helix 3.5 looks cool. Haven’t heard it and barely seen it but at a glance it looks nice. Would be cool for Axe Edit too 😎

 

[GlennO]

The new IR module with mic placement in Helix 3.5 looks cool. Haven’t heard it and barely seen it but at a glance it looks nice. Would be cool for Axe Edit too 😎

After that appeared in the Line6 Metallurgy modelers, I think it was assumed it would be in the next Helix update. Considering the QC has had that for a while, this type of cabinet UI is getting close to the point where it's expected in a modeler now.

 

[Bruce Sokolovic]

After that appeared in the Line6 Metallurgy modelers, I think it was assumed it would be in the next Helix update. Considering the QC has had that for a while, this type of cabinet UI is getting close to the point where it's expected in a modeler now.

This is the single best update FAS can make to the product line, IMO.

 

[Dave Merrill]

This is the single best update FAS can make to the product line, IMO.

Even just making it so we could move IRs around without breaking presets would be most welcome.